The Pattern of Fractures in Road Traffic Crashes: Findings From the National Trauma Registry in Iran Publisher Pubmed



Mshz Tabatabaei Mahgol Sadat Hassan ZADEH ; M Soleimani MOHAMMAD ; Sh Shafiei Seyyed HOSSEIN ; Mr Zafarghandi Mohammad REZA ; V Rahimimovaghar VAFA ; V Baigi VALI ; E Fakharian ESMAEIL ; Sh Saeedbanadaky Seyed HOUSSEIN ; V Hoseinpour VAHID ; H Sadeghibazargani HOMAYOUN
Source: Journal of Research in Health Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Fractures constitute a significant concern in low-income and middle-income countries, primarily due to road traffic crashes (RTCs), a leading cause of such injuries. This study aimed to analyze fracture patterns resulting from RTCs in Iran. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: A registry-based study was conducted using data from the National Trauma Registry of Iran spanning 2016–2023. The study included 10,114 trauma patients involved in RTCs, encompassing car and motorcycle crashes with at least one fracture. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes were used for data analysis, considering both orthopedic and nonorthopedic admissions related to RTCs. Fracture incidence was compared among pedestrians, drivers/riders, and passengers/pillions. Results: Males constituted a significant majority of the car (90.1% drivers, 72.1% pedestrians, and 47.0% passengers) and motorcycle (99.6% riders, 77.0% pedestrians, and 65.3% pillions) crashes (P < 0.001). Patients under 18 comprised 18.4% of the motorcycle riders and 2.5% of the car drivers. Drivers showed the highest frequency of head injuries (26.9%, P < 0.010), while pedestrians had the highest frequency of upper extremity injuries (73.1%, P < 0.001). Drivers also demonstrated a higher frequency of vertebral fractures than passengers (C3-C7: 3.2% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.006). Riders (33.5%) displayed a higher frequency of head and face fractures compared to pillions (24.8%) and pedestrians (17.4%) (Head: pedestrian vs. rider, P < 0.001; pedestrian vs. pillion, P = 0.018; rider vs. pillion, P = 0.005; Face: pedestrian vs. rider, P < 0.001; pedestrian vs. pillion, P < 0.001; rider vs. pillion, P = 0.033). Conclusion: The study provided valuable information on the fracture patterns associated with RTCs among road user groups. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.